Dean Alastair Cormack

“Curriculum is a dynamic entity. It can’t stay unchanged for very long.” That’s how Dr. Alastair Cormack, dean of the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, NYS College of Ceramics, feels about the underpinnings of the school’s programs. And that is why “We continue to look (at program) to see if what we are doing is best practice, to see if the way we’re doing things is the best way. Is the curriculum producing the type of students we want?”

On the other hand, much of “engineering (content) is specific,” he says, noting a lot of the material is “fixed.” But new topics are continually being woven into the texture of the coursework, he says. Today that includes new offerings in biomaterials and nanotechnology.

“The curriculum evolves, research topics change, but we need the core competencies,” says Dr. Cormack. He doesn’t foresee any new majors, but predicts “we will see a shift in the emphasis of what’s in our degree programs.”

“There is a growing interest in biomaterials and related activity,” Dean Cormack reiterates. And there is a “resurgence of research,” particularly when it comes to ceramic engineering materials. “The majority of our faculty is interested in research” and the “academic climate” at AU “is allowing us to focus on graduate and undergraduate research,” says Dr. Cormack.

Once those students complete the programs, it’s important to know whether the knowledge is being transferred effectively, he says. Assessment, or looking at learning outcomes, is a long-time practice in the School of Engineering. It’s important to see if students are meeting program and curriculum objectives, says Dr. Cormack. In order to retain ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), AU must show it is meeting the program educational objectives. “We are always checking with employers, alumni, and current students to make sure the curriculum is producing the type of students we want,” explains Dr. Cormack. “We cannot lower our expectations of our graduates,” he adds.

He fervently believes that Alfred’s size and commitment to students, both undergrad and graduate, are the greatest strengths of the School of Engineering. The small class sizes allow faculty and students to interact nearly on a one-to-one basis. That commitment comes along with an “extensive set of instruments and equipment for teaching and research, second to none, usually found only in major research universities.”

Dean Cormack does predict the graduate engineering programs will grow within the next 10 years, but not so much as to erase the opportunities that come with a smaller-size student cohort. Positive moves, such as the hiring of two Kazuo Inamori Professors (with a search for two more under way) “will allow us to provide focus and attention on graduate research activities,” he says. That research, though often underappreciated outside the School of Engineering, is what attracts major funding from business and industry. “For cutting-edge research, we need instruments and facilities,” he emphasizes.

A prime example is the Student Engineering Project Lab, or as the students say, the STEP lab. STEP houses the Division of Mechanical Engineering’s laboratory space, providing students with access to the necessary tools to construct their mechanical engineering projects, including vehicles — and enough space to test them. In recent years, Alfred University students have had enormous success on a national level with Extreme Gravity racing car projects “born” in the STEP lab, notes Dr. Cormack.

Another welcome teaching tool and community outreach vehicle will be the upcoming addition of the Museum of Fine Ceramics, says Dr. Cormack. The new museum will be located on the second floor, north wing, of Binns-Merrill Hall. Work begins this summer, thanks to a grant from New York State to match a $10 million gift from the Kyocera Corp. to endow the school.

It’s a given that technology and state-of-the-art equipment play a prominent role in the engineering classrooms and laboratories. Every classroom in the McMahon Building has “smart” technology, a computer-based, multi-faceted environment. The McMahon conference rooms will soon have two-way video capability. Faculty take full advantage of the technology, says Dean Cormack. Most faculty also use the Blackboard course management system for lecture notes, assignments, and announcements, he says. Future tools will include animation, video clips, and virtual laboratories.

But all is not engineering terminology and laboratory results for students enrolled in the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, says Dr. Cormack. The students are well-rounded – some also complete BA degrees or business minors, for example – and highly involved in campus life, experiencing the full Alfred University environment, he says. He notes the current and previous president of Student Senate, for example, are engineering students. One graduate student was track coach, while others have been assistant coaches. And it was an engineering graduate student who launched the men’s hockey cub, notes Dr. Cormack. Still many more students participate in sports, the concert band, orchestra, and chorus, he says.

Tags: ABET accreditation, Alastair Cormack, Alfred University, biomaterials, Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, nanotechnology

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